Cam Newton says Panthers-Seahawks rivalry is 'must-see TV'

Led by two of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the NFL, the burgeoning Seattle Seahawks-Carolina Panthers rivalry may be in its infancy.

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson said he would've voted Panthers pivot Cam Newton for MVP, and it's clear there's mutual respect between the two stars.

Newton was effusive in his praise for the Seahawks ahead of their clash on Sunday.

"Seattle has been a team that we have become accustomed to playing," Newton said to Eric Prisbell of USA TODAY Sports. "They have great talent. They are coached extremely well, and so are we."

After the Seahawks went to two consecutive Super Bowls, and the Panthers rattled off a league-best 15-1 record this year, it's of little surprise that their games are becoming a marquee clash.

"Must-see TV," Newton said. "That's why you pretty much come to the league. You look, and you eye matchups like this."

Newton engineered a 27-23 comeback victory over the Seahawks earlier in the year, a win that fueled his team with confidence. The Seahawks eliminated the Panthers from the playoffs last year.

"It was huge," Newton said of the Oct. 18 victory. "There are certain teams that you beat, and that happens. Now all of the sudden there's that confidence. Now all of the sudden there's, 'We can get this done.' When you sit there and say, 'We're close, and we're close, that's one thing.' When you say, 'We've done it,' that's a different thing."

With Sunday's winner advancing to the NFC Championship Game, Newton is certainly correct in his appraisal of the contentious bout.